Vegetarian Festival in Samut Prakan 2009 เทศกาลกินเจ

[Richard Barrow]

These are some pictures of vegetarian vendors in front of Racha Market in Paknam at lunchtime. At this time of the day there aren't so many vendors here. But, still a good choice for us. I will probably go again to Racha Market tomorrow at about 4 p.m. or so when there are more vendors open. As I mentioned before, you can tell who is selling vegetarian food by the yellow flag on show.

Tonight we are going to Loy Krathong Jay at City Hall Plaza and I will post pictures here later. I am not sure how well they will come out as it will be dark.











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Samut Prakan Province

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

Just came back from taking pictures down by the river at the city hall. These pictures are a part of the Vegetarian Festival. They floated krathongs to invite the dead spirits in the water to come for a big feast the following day.

Did you know that we had Loy Krathong in October?

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

After the Loy Krathong last night, the next morning is the time for the big feast. Here are some pictures of it.



Paying respect to the gods and goddesses.



People are buying the food to offer it to the dead spirits.





Offering the food to the dead spirits.



Making some merit by giving some money to the beggars/poor.

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

After the people finished offering the food to the gods, goddesses, spirits etc. all the food will go to the poor that's waiting around the place.



Look at those huge incense sticks!



All the poor people are waiting for the free food.



[Above and below] All the food that's waiting to be given out.





Lighting up the big incense sticks.

[Jasonkoh82]

Thanks so much for all your hard work!! I appreciate it. Plus i'm also glad that the people are performing the merit for the poor and beggars.

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

Thanks so much for all your hard work!! I appreciate it. Plus i'm also glad that the people are performing the merit for the poor and beggars.

thank you very much, it's nice to know someone likes my work. More is coming!!!

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

Yesterday was the last day of the vegetarian festival in Samut Prakan, they started off with the parade at about 6.30 a.m. (พิธีปิดเทศกาลกินเจปี 2552 ที่จังหวัดสมุทรปราการ)



The parade started at the 'rong jay' (โรงเจ) and marched their way to the city hall along with the dragon show.



Unloading the big krathong from the truck.



They are putting the paper lanterns and lotus flowers onto the giant krathong.







They are towing out the big krathong into the middle of the Chao Phraya river where they will set it alight. However, our view of this was blocked by three or four barges that slowly went passed at the same time. Bummer.

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

After the giant krathong was set alight, a dragon performed a small dance along the footpath by the river.



Paying respect to the gods and goddesses + sending them back to heaven.



Parade back to the town.



Those two guys on the truck was splashing the holy water on the people by the side of the road all the way.



People by the side of the road are making merit by giving some money to support 'rong jay' (โรงเจ)



The dragon went inside the city pillar to pay its respect before performing a show in front of the place.

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

These are the pictures of the dragon show performing in front of the city pillar. It's quite amazing and really fun.





Fire out!!!



The little kid is banging the drum for the whole show.





The dragon is about to go up to the top of the poll.



Little kid is up high on top of the poll fighting with the dragon. What a brave kid. Richard shot some videos for this, he will upload it later.

[Panrit "Gor" Daoruang]

These pictures are showing the rest of the parade.